LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University softball team secured a 6-1 victory over Bellarmine on Sunday to claim the series.
 
With the win, the Colonels improved to 26-22-1 overall and 13-6-1 in ASUN play, moving into second place in the ASUN Gold Division after passing North Alabama. EKU has dropped just one series this season, back in early April.
 
Emily Mariscal starred in the rubber match, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a double. In the circle, Victoria Byrum (9-11) delivered another dominant outing against Bellarmine, allowing one run on four hits while striking out five.
 
The Colonels struck first in the opening inning. Reese Knox singled up the middle and advanced to third on a wild pitch. A groundout then brought her home to give EKU a 1-0 lead.
 
After holding Bellarmine scoreless in the bottom half, EKU added to its lead in the second. Jordan Smith reached scoring position after drawing a walk and advancing on a wild pitch before Mariscal lined an RBI double down the right-field line to make it 2-0.
 
Bellarmine answered in the bottom of the inning after a pair of pitching miscues put a runner in scoring position. An RBI single to left-center cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
After several scoreless frames, EKU threatened again when a Mariscal single moved a runner to third with one out. Bellarmine escaped the inning by turning a double play and recording an out at third.
 
The Colonels broke through in the sixth. Singles by Kennedy Drafton and Mayla Mathis put runners on second and third before Mariscal drove a ball to left field, bringing both home for a 4-1 advantage.
 
EKU added two more insurance runs in the seventh. Skyler Billips opened the inning with a single, advanced on a wild pitch and stole third. Knox walked and moved to second on a stolen base. A Bellarmine fielding error then allowed both runners to score, sealing the 6-1 win.
 
Next Up
 
The Colonels close the regular season with a series at Austin Peay. EKU defeated the Governors earlier this season and enters the weekend looking to finish strong while improving its position in the standings.